HC Deb 17 November 1930 vol 245 cc30-1
68. Major NATHAN

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many men and women, respectively, are estimated as employed in agricultural occupations; and how these figures compare with those of 1913, 1920, and 1925?

Dr. ADDISON

In view of the large number of figures involved, I propose, with the permission of the hon. and gallant Member, to circulate my reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Colonel ASHLEY

Can the right hon. Gentleman at least say whether the situation is better or worse?

Dr. ADDISON

This question relates to three different years, namely, 1913, 1920 and 1925.

Following is the reply:

The figures of agricultural employment collected by the Ministry through the Annual Returns subsequent to 1921 are not comparable with those prior to that date and consequently for any earlier comparison reference must be made Lo the Population Census figures.

According to the Annual Returns the numbers of male and female workers employed on agricultural holdings exceeding one acre in Great Britain in 1921, 1925 and 1930 were as follow:

— England and Wales. Scotland. Great Britain.
Male. Female. Total. Male. Female. Total. Total Workers.
No. No. No. No. No. No. No.
1921 … 743,325 125,858 809,183 93,643 33,255 126,898 996,081
1925 … 694,161 109,177 803,338 93,110 28,952 122,052 925,400
1929 … 667,870 102,382 770,252 91,595 26,439 118,034 888,286
*1930 … 644,800 96,900 741,700 Not yet available. Not yet available.
NOTE:—Excluding the occupier, his wife and domestic servants.
* The figures for 1930 are provisional and are subject to revision.
The figures disclosed by the Population Censuses are for various reasons not quite comparable over a period of years but the results of the Censuses in 1911 and 1921 showed that the number of persons engaged in the main classes of agricultural employment (excluding horticulture) in those years in Great Britain were as follows:—
— England and Wales. Scotland. Great Britain.
Male. Female. Total. Male. Female. Total. Total Workers.
No. No. No. No. No. No. No.
1911 … 971,708 33,272 1,004,980 148,425 32,423 180,848 1,185,828
1921 … 907,941 51,964 959,905 140,248 22,238 162,486 1,122,391
69. Major NATHAN

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information as to the degree of unemployment at present obtaining among agricultural workers; and, if so, how the situation compares with that of a year ago?

Dr. ADDISON

From such information as I have, it would appear that the situation is not appreciably different from that prevailing in the early part of November last year.